Farmers flay Pattiseema lift irrigation project
VIJAYAWADA: The state government's hurry to complete Rs.1,300 crore Pattiseema Lift Irrigation project to supplement inflows into Krishna reservoir at Prakasam barrage has drawn flak from farmers organisations.
The project envisages lifting of Godavari waters at Pattiseema in West Godavari district and divertig it to Krishna reservoir at Prakasam barrage through the canal network that has more or less been completed for Polavaram project. The Pattiseema project envisages diversion of 40 tmcft of Godavari water to Krishna River.
Several farmers organisations from Krishna and Godavari districts will be meeting in Vijayawada on January 9 to bring pressure on the government to abandon the project as they believe it will only lead to tensions between farmers of Krishna and Godavari districts.
Krishna Delta Parirakshana Samiti convenor Kolanukonda Sivaji alleged that Pattiseema has been taken up by the state government only to benefit contractors. Describing it as a project that is not feasible, he says that the government will have to complete the Polavaram right canal first before grounding the Lift Irrigation Scheme.
"For about 45 km, canal has not yet been constructed because of petitions filed in courts. How can the government complete the project in eight months as it had been boasting when the cases are still pending in the courts?," he asked.
This apart, Krishna reservoir at Prakasam barrage can store only 2.5 tmcft water. When the capacity is so low, how can 40 tmcft water be diverted to the reservoir even if it is done in phases, he wondered.
He said that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu did not want Polavaram project since if it is executed, Telugu Desam Party in Telangana would be dead. That is why he is now saying that the height of the project would be raised to 168 ft from 150 ft, expecting neighbouring states to go to courts and stall the project all together.
"Farmers in Krishna and twin Godavari districts want Polavarma project be taken up and not Pattiseema which will never materialise. We will fight till end to achieve our goal," he said.
News Posted: 3 January, 2015
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